Folding fan



March 25, 1958 P, w, TORLUEMKE I 2,828,068

' FOLDING FAN Filed March 16, 1956 'lM/EX/To k: PHUL 14/. TORLUEHKE;

HTTORNE 5 United States Patent FOLDING FAN Paul W. Torluemke, St. Louis, Mo., assignor to Woodward & Tiernan Printing Company, St. Joseph, Mo., a corporation of Missouri 1 Application March 16, 1956, Serial No. 571,940 2 Claims. (Cl. 230-269) The present invention relates generally to fans, and more particularly to hand fans of the compact folding type.

In brief, the present novel fan includes in a preferred embodiment front and rear members, preferably of like shape, secured together, in opposed relation by three spaced rivets. Blades or panels of like configuration are pivotally mounted between said members on one of the rivets, all of which are in aligned relationship when in closed or folded positions. Stop means including an car on each blade limit pivotal movement of the blades.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel folding fan which is of sturdy construction, thereby insuring long life. I

Another object is to provide a novel folding fan which is readily fabricated and inexpensive to produce.

Another object is to provide a novel folding fan which incorporates three widely spaced connections between front and rear members, two of which are adjacent the fanning or free edge, thereby reinforcing the fan in that area to insure effective breeze action.

Another object is to provide a novel folding fan which includes pivotally mounted blades, each of which has one stop ear at its free end which functions to limit both opening and closing movements.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages are apparent from the following description taken with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a folding fan incorporating the features of the present invention, illustrated in closed position;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof, one fan blade being in open position;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view thereof, showing both fan blades in open position;

Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figures 5 and 6 are enlarged cross-sectional views taken on substantially the lines 5-5 and 6--6 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 7--7 of Figure 3; and

Figure 8 is a side elevational view of one of the fan blades.

Referring to the drawing more particularly by reference numbers, 10 indicates a folding fan incorporating the teachings of the present invention. The fan 10 includes a front member 12, a rear member 14, and two blades or panels 16.

The members 12 and 14 are of like form, and are secured together in opposed relation by lower rivet 18 and upper rivets 20. Each member 12 and 14 has a lower 6 disc portion 22 by which the fan 10 may be grasped, and an arcuate upper edge 24.

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The two blades 16 are pivoted on the lower rivet 18 between the members 12 and 14, as is clear from the drawing. Each blade 16 has an arcuate upper edge 26 on a shorter radius than the arcuate upper edges 24, a radially extending ear 28, and a lateral ear portion 30. Each ear 28 is formed and located to engage one upper rivet 20 when the fan 10 is closed and the other upper rivet 20 when it is opened.

When the fan 10 is not in use, the blades 16 are disposed wholly between the members 12 and 14, except for the lateral ear portions 30 (Fig. 1). For use, the blades 16 are pivoted to the positions shown in Figure 3 by grasping the ear portions 30. The ears 28 limit the pivotal action.

The upper rivets 20 reinforce the fanning edges of the fan 10, preventing the edges 24 and 26 from separating during use. The cars 28 provide sturdy stops, and are located in positions to prevent damage thereto from careless handling of the fan 10. Usually fans 10 are made of cardboard, but any preferred material may be used.

It is manifest that there has been provided a fan which fulfills the objects and advantages sought therefor.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawing have been given by way of illustration and example. It is also to be understood that changes in form of the elements, rearrangement of parts, and substitution of equivalent elements, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art, are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. A folding fan comprising stationary coextensive superimposed front and rear members, each member having an arcuate upper edge, at least three separate spaced rivet elements positively securing said members together in opposed spaced relation, and fan blades pivotally mounted between said members on one of said elements, each fan blade having an arcuate upper edge of shorter radius than that of the arcuate upper edges of said members, each fan blade having a radial ear selectively engageable with said other two elements determining the extreme positions of pivotal movement thereof.

2. A folding fan comprising coextensive superimposed front and rear. members, each member having an arcuate upper edge, at least three separate spaced rivet elements positively securing said members together in opposed spaced relation, and fan blades pivotally mounted between said members on one of said elements, each fan blade having an arcuate upper edge of shorter radius than that of the arcuate upper edges of said members, each fan blade having a radial ear selectively engageable with References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,420,496 Ohm June 20, 1922 2,449,701 Imperial Sept. 21, 1948 2,581,643 Francis Jan. 8, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 16,927 Great Britain 1898 455,827 Germany Feb. 28, 1926 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE UF CQRRECTION Patent Noo 2,828,068 March 25, 1958 Paul We Torluemke it is hereby certified. that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and "that the said Letters Patent should read as oor= rested below;

In the grant, lines 2 and 3, address of the essignee, for "St. Joseph, Missouri" read St, Louis, Missouri and in the heading to the printed specification, line 4, for "S'to Joseph, Mo," reed ms St, Louis, Mo, m

Signed and sealed this 19th day of June 1958.,

(SEAL) Atfiest:

KARL H, AXLINE ROBERT C. WATSON Attesting Officer Conmissioner of Patents 

